Team Liquid sweeps Onic, Aurora beat down TNC Pro Team in MPL Season 16 Playoffs
Day 2 of the MPL Season 16 Playoffs featured two high-octane Upper Bracket match-ups with Team Liquid PH taking on Onic PH and a duel between TNC Pro Team and Aurora. While no teams are to be eliminated, the stakes could not be any lower as everyone brings in their A-game. Team Liquid dominated Onic PH in a 3-0 sweep in the first match of the series to send the Sonics into the Lower Bracket. In the 2nd series,
Team Liquid make quick work of Onic PH
READ MORE: Team Liquid PH, TNC Pro Team pick up wins to kick off MPL Season 16 Playoffs
Team Liquid PH and Onic PH kicked off the action in a much-anticipated match-up known as the Golden Rivalry. Team Liquid PH continued their fine form in Day 1 with clean execution in their opening match. Karl Gabriel ‘KarlTzy’ Nepomuceno’s Yi Sun-shin was on a tear hitting the max level at the nine minute mark and leading the high ground siege a minute after as they take Game 1. In Game 2, an early Turtle take as well as a purple buff steal by King ‘K1NGKONG’ Perez’s Yi Sun-shin wasn’t enough to take the early game. KarlTzy’s Lancelot was on a tear once again as his pinpoint plays just fueled another Team Liquid show as they rout Onic PH anew in Game 2 in just 11 minutes.
With Team Liquid PH looking to sweep Onic PH into the lower bracket, KarlTzy was once again on his flamboyant Lancelot with a crazy 91% kill participation brawl. The game ended up to be a 22 minute brawl with K1NGKONG and company pushing Team Liquid PH back. But the shot calling was still picture perfect for Team Liquid as they could not be denied the sweep. The mastery of the draft of Coach Rodel ‘Ar Sy’ Cruz was in full display. Team Liquid PH dominated Onic PH in every single early game of the series with perfect team comps and counter picking. Fortunately for Onic PH, its not an elimination match as they were just sent into the Lower Bracket.
TNC Pro Team prove they can match up well against Aurora despite loss
In the 2nd series of the day, streaking TNC Pro Team take on Aurora. The hard-hitting duo of Edward ‘Edward’ Dapadap and Jonard ‘Demonkite’ Caranto helped Rora snowball themselves to victory. With his Lancelot, Demonkite was in pole position in level and gold throughout the well-oiled Game 1 victory of Aurora. Game 2 was a tightly contested affair until the 10 minute mark. It was Justine ‘Zaida’ Palma’s Lancelot who made the big plays to give TNC Pro Team an edge in the match as they slug out the equalizer in the series.
In Game 3, it was another close early game between the two teams. It was once again Zaida who was the difference maker for TNC Pro Team with his Yi Sun-shin. A crucial Lord steal by Demonkite kept Rora in the game forcing the match to go the distance. The veteran experience of Rora in the 24 minute slugfest proved to be the difference maker as they take the crucial Game 3. In Game 4, Demonkite with the high win rate Lancelot to go for the jugular. But Zaida’s Yi Sun-shin won the early game for TNC and they knocked on Aurora’s base early. But a deep dive from TNC Pro Team prolonged the game further. After a long tug of war, it was TNC who eventually forced Game 5. The duel between Demonkite and Zaida was finally gonna have its curtain call. Zaida’s Yi Sun-shin found three quick early kills. But in the Lord dance, it was Demonkite who once again reigned supreme as Rora send TNC into the Lower Bracket.
Action continues tomorrow at 3PM in the Cuneta Astrodome with an Upper Bracket between Team Liquid PH and Aurora while its a do-or-die Lower Bracket match between Onic and TNC Pro Team.
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